After Being Criticised For His Performance Lakers’ Anthony Davis Explains The Reason Behind His Inconsistency

As a great two-way player who led the Lakers to victory in Game 1 with 30 points, 23 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks while controlling the paint and generally keeping the Warriors outside of the restricted area, Davis stood out as the game’s most important player.

After Being Criticised For His Performance Lakers’ Anthony Davis Explains The Reason Behind The Inconsistency

However, the previous 15 home teams who lost Game 1 went on to win Game 2 — with an average margin of victory of 17.1 points per game — going into Thursday’s Game 2 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.

In Game 2, things were different. On Davis, Draymond Green spent a lot more time on defence. Golden State prioritized attacking the paint more. Stephen Curry developed into more of a passer than a pure shooter. But none of that can totally explain AD’s 11 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the floor, seven rebounds, four assists (against four turnovers), three blocks and a steal.

At the Chase Center, the Warriors defeated the Lakers 127-100 to tie the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series at one game each.

With a 25-point effort against the Warriors in Game 3 on Saturday, Davis maintained his trend of inconsistent play. He has alternated between scoring 16 points or fewer and at least 20 points for the ninth straight game.

After Game 3, when questioned about the odd tendency, Davis dismissed it as part of basketball’s normal ups and downs.

“It’s a miss or make league,” he told reporters. “The same shots I had in Game 1, I had in Game 2. I made them in Game 1 and I missed them in Game 2. The same shots I had in Game 2, I had in Game 3. I missed in Game 2 and I made it in Game 3.”

“I look at it as I just missed shots,” he continued. “I didn’t do anything differently, I didn’t change anything up, so it is what it is.”

The Lakers should hope that trend doesn’t continue. They have a huge opportunity to take a 3-1 series lead at home this Monday night.

Anthony Davis 2023 playoff stats

Game FG FG% AST REB PTS Result
Game 1 vs. Grizzlies 10-17 58.8 3 12 22 W, 128-112
Game 2 vs. Grizzlies 4-14 28.6 3 9 13 L, 103-93
Game 3 vs. Grizzlies 11-24 45.8 2 17 31 W, 111-101
Game 4 vs. Grizzlies 4-13 30.8 2 11 12 W, 117-111 (OT)
Game 5 vs. Grizzlies 14-23 60.9 1 19 31 L, 116-99
Game 6 vs. Grizzlies 6-9 66.7 1 14 16 W, 125-85
Game 1 vs. Warriors 11-19 57.9 5 23 30 W, 117-112
Game 2 vs. Warriors 5-11 45.5 4 7 11 L, 127-100
Game 3 vs. Warriors 7-10 70.0 3 13 25 W, 127-97

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